Valley Gardens

VALLEY GARDENS—HARROGATE’S AWARD-WINNING PARK – is 17 acres of English Heritage Grade II listed park-land, themed gardens, floral displays and historic buildings. The adjacent  The Valley Gardens in Harrogate offer visitors a delightful experience within its 17-acre expanse of English Heritage Grade II listed gardens. Nestled in the regal Low Harrogate, adjacent to the Pinewoods woodlands, this garden boasts not only natural beauty but also a rich historical tapestry. Wandering through The Valley Gardens, you’ll encounter charming historic structures like the Sun Pavilion and colonnades, which stand as a testament to the area’s grand past. Amidst these architectural gems, a diverse array of shrubs, flowers, and herbaceous beds paint a picturesque scene, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in nature’s splendor. Facilities within The Valley Gardens cater to both leisure and practical needs. Children can frolic in the playground, while Sunday afternoons come alive with the melodies of band concerts from late May to early September. For a quick bite or refreshing beverage, the games pavilion and Magnesia Well café offer light refreshments, ensuring visitors can recharge amidst their explorations. The Gardens also provide essential amenities such as toilets, ensuring comfort throughout your visit. Families with young ones can delight in the children’s boating pool and seasonal paddling pool, providing hours of summertime fun free of charge. Environmental stewardship is a priority within The Valley Gardens, with initiatives aimed at enhancing biodiversity and wildlife habitats. Collaborations with esteemed garden designer Paul Hervey-Brookes have resulted in areas like the Nectar Bar, designed to attract bees and other pollinators, fostering a thriving ecosystem. Furthermore, the Borough Council Act of 1986 safeguards a portion of the gardens known as the Bogs Field, outlining measures for its preservation and management. The Friends of Valley Gardens play a crucial role in supporting these efforts, contributing to ongoing projects and the restoration of historical landmarks like the Old Magnesia Well Pump Room.

Harrogate Guide. Events and Festivals

Valley Gardens

Valley Gardens

Click Here for Garden Centres in Harrogate

Is 17 acres of English Heritage Grade II listed parkland, themed gardens, floral displays, and historic buildings. The adjacent Pinewoods (http://www.pinewoodsconservationgroup.org.uk) is a further 96 acres of woodland with footpaths leading to RHS Garden Harlow Carr and Birk Crag an area of outstanding natural beauty.

At the heart of Valley Gardens is Bogs Field where it is believed that a greater number of different mineral water springs (now wells) come to the surface than any other place on earth. Thirty-six of Harrogate’s approximately one hundred mineral wells are found within the gardens, with no two being alike.

The floral displays are spectacular and include magnificent seasonal dahlia and bedding flowers, that are re-planted throughout the year. The gardens are continually being restored and regenerated with major works spearheaded by Friends of Valley Gardens, working with North Yorkshire Council who own and manage the gardens.

NEWS BOX

  • The New Zealand Garden in Valley Gardens has been restored. Click here for more information.
  • Friends of Valley Gardens have lost three of our strongest supporters in 2022: Malcolm Neesam, David Mason and Councillor Jim Clark. Click here for more information.
  • FOVG held its AGM via Zoom on 15th March. Click the links for the Minutes and Answers to Questions.
  • Valley Gardens was awarded Platinum in the 2022 Yorkshire in Bloom competition. See a photo here.
  • Jane Blayney and Simon Hill have just published a Guidebook to the Trees of Valley Gardens. Click here for for more information
  • The Japanese Garden has been awarded the 2022 Harrogate in Bloom Shield. See a photo here.
  • As part of the Platinum Jubilee 2022 celebration, the Sun Pavilion and Sun Colonnade in Valley Gardens has been listed Grade II by Historic England. These buildings were reopened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 after a successful restoration campaign led by Anne Smith and The Friends of Valley Gardens.
  • Little Bird Artisan Markets are in the Sun Colonnade on the first Sunday of each month. For more information littlebirdmade.com
  • Our Volunteer Gardeners meet every other Wednesday. Please join us. Click here to contact our Volunteer Gardening Coordinator.
  • For more news and information about Valley Gardens please visit our FACEBOOK page https://www.facebook.com/Friends-Of-Valley-Gardens-Harrogate-1370141123053112.
PHOTOS
To view photos please visit our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts. You can view a Photo Gallery of Historical Photos of Valley Gardens by clicking here.THEMED GARDENS
New Zealand Garden, Japanese Garden, Scree Garden, Peat Garden, Rock Garden and Sensory Garden.
HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Old Magnesia Well Pump Room (1858), New Magnesia Well Pump Room now Ripley Ice-cream & Café (1895), Sun Pavilion, Sun Colonnade Walk and Bandstand (1933)
.
Stacks Image 618
Old Magnesia Well Pump Room and Information Center
Stacks Image 594
Ripley Ice-cream and Café
REFRESHMENTS
Light refreshments are available from Ripley Ice-cream & Café.
The Games Pavilion near the tennis courts also sells some refreshments between Easter and September.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Children’s Play Area with Paddling Pool, Model Boating Pond, King Edward VII Memorial Gate, Skateboard/BMX Park, Tennis Courts, Crazy Golf and Pitch and Putt Golf Course. The outdoor games season runs from April to October.
.
Boating Pool
Cherub Fountain

There is a wonderful walk from Valley Gardens through the Pinewoods to RHS Harlow Carr. This is a gentle family walk of 1 ½ miles through formal gardens and peaceful woodland. You can download the RHS map by clicking here.

HISTORY
The Gardens where developed as an attractive walk for visitors to the Spa town of Harrogate, part of their health regime between taking the waters, and as a means of access to the mineral springs of Bogs Field. The waterside walk with flowers and trees became a place for promenading, socialising and taking exercise. Photographs of the gardens in the early 20th century testify to their enormous popularity with crowds around the tea room, boating lake and bandstand. A detailed History of Valley Gardens can be found here.

You can view a Photo Gallery of Historical Photos by clicking here.

Back To Top